EastEnders star makes shock exit and leaves fans stunned amid cover up plans

Fans of have been left stunned as a huge character exited the soap. The dramatic scenes had viewers of the long-running soap gobsmacked as quit Walford once again just days after her explosive return.

Michelle's character Zoe Slater walked away from any potential plan of making a move back to Walford in latest scenes. It come barely any time after fans were left buzzing about her return.

Zoe's return was confirmed as she made contact with Stacey Slater (). The drama unfolded after Zoe was seen living in squalor. She appeared to have been surviving off just vodka and vapes and she quickly apologised to Stacey and Alfie.

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Despite giving no clue about why she was apologising to the pair, she was given a lifeline as she hid out at a flat rented by Stacey. However, she was left shocked by the arrival of Kat, Jean and Harvey at the property.

Zoe had made it clear she didn't want to see mum Kat, or even let her know she was in London. They group tried to throw Kat off the scent by hiding Zoe in the bedroom.

However, while Kat left unconvinced, she soon returned to demand the truth. With Zoe still in hiding, she made a noise after tripping, which set Kat's mind into overdrive. After deciding to barge in the room, Stacey and Alfie frantically worried that Zoe was going to be discovered.

But there was further shock when the room was empty and the window fully open. It led to Alfie and Stacey hurrying to try to find out where Zoe had gone.

But time was up and Zoe revealed she would not be making a permanent return to Walford. Speaking to the pair over the phone, Zoe said: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause you no trouble."

Despite Stacey's best attempts to reassure her, Zoe's mind was made up as she told them she couldn't come back. She sadly said: "I've got to go."

And she went on to confess: "Don't look for me. It was a mistake. It was a mistake to get back in touch.

"I ain't saying it was easy, hearing her [Kat], seeing her face, but I done something bad, something so bad. You would never forgive me." Ending the phone call, a tearful Zoe left the apartment building and fled once again.

Just days earlier fans had admitted they couldn't believe it as Zoe was seen on the screen for the first time in 17 years. . After weeks of speculation, it was finally confirmed that for the first time since leaving Albert Square in 2005.

But it's now left up in the air as to whether Zoe will eventually return or if it was a fleeting cameo.